Politics · India · 1 day ago
More than 2,500 detained during protest over India’s chief election commissioner
Protesters gathered in Delhi on October 10 to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.
The protest was called by left-wing groups, the Cockroach Janta Party and civil society groups.
Police blocked roads to Jantar Mantar, where the protesters planned to march, and imposed major restrictions across central Delhi.
More than 2,500 people were detained across the capital, and all were released by late evening.
Four former chief ministers were among those detained.
The protest took place under heavy security, with metro stations and roads closed and some transport services disrupted.
The Cockroach Janta Party and the Students Federation of India said they would organise a march to Jantar Mantar every day until Kumar resigned.
Nearly 2,500 protesters were detained across Delhi during a protest on October 10 demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi Police detained protesters at several locations and prevented them from entering the district containing Jantar Mantar.
All detainees were released by late evening, according to police sources cited by The Hindu.
The protest was called by Left groups, the Cockroach Janta Party and civil society groups over alleged electoral irregularities.
Police also detained four former chief ministers, according to the report.
- Who
- Protesters, including groups led by the All India Students Association, the Cockroach Janta Party and civil society groups.
- What
- Nearly 2,500 people were detained during a protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral irregularities.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Delhi, including areas near Jantar Mantar and locations across the capital.
- Why
- Protesters were demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral irregularities.
Protesters
Delhi Police
Purpose of the event
Protesters
Protesters sought Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral irregularities.
Delhi Police
Police prevented protesters from entering the New Delhi district and warned that rallies or processions were prohibited under Section 163 of the BNSS.
Access to Jantar Mantar
Protesters
Protesters tried to reach or march to Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police
Police barricaded roads and detained people at multiple locations to stop them reaching the site.
Final Call to Save Democracy
Police picked up around 1,000 people in preventive operations across Delhi.
CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were detained after their flight from Mumbai landed at Delhi airport.
Protesters gathered at locations across Delhi and nearly 2,500 were detained during the day.
Police sources said all detainees had been released.
- Detained during protest
- Nearly 2,500 people
- Preventive detentions
- Around 1,000 people picked up overnight
- Security deployment
- Over 20,000 personnel
- Metro closures
- 45 stations
- Train cancellations
- Over 200 trains arriving in Delhi
- Former chief ministers detained
- Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, Manik Sarkar and Arvind Kejriwal
Sources
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